Plant host drives fungal phenology

The role of plant diversity in supporting fungal diversity is well established, but the possible effects of plant diversity in creating that diversity have received less attention. We investigated sporocarp phenology in replicated, planted 20 x 20 m plots of 14 different tree species, to test whether tree species identity caused phenological shifts in fungal reproduction, providing a potential mechanism for allochrony. Tree species identity was a significant determinant of sporocarp phenology for the two most abundant fungal species, and for four common fungal genera. The results support the suggestion that plant host can drive fungal phenology and may provide a potential mechanism for allochronous speciation. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd and The British Mycological Society. All rights reserved.